Device for controlling electric currents.



EENLED MAY 28, i90?. H. E. EMERSON n G. H. DEGELOH. DEVIE EGB, GNTRGLLING R URRENTS.

APPLIOATIO FILED 00123, 1906.

s. @MNH D. TmLEuJM c. v N EER vmu mED. BH. ma NR am HG UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

*nENRY B. EMERSON AND GEORGE n. DORGELOH, OE SCEENECTADY, NEw YORK, ASSTGNOES To GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A COEPOEATTON OF NEW YGRK.

DEVCE-FOR CO'NTROLLING ELECTRIC CURRENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May `28, 1907.

Application filed Gctober 8, 1906. Serial Noi 337,204,

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY B. EMERSON, av citizen ofthe United States, and GEORGE H. DOEGELOH, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State` of New York, have invvented certain new and useful Improvements push of a.butt on. Asa means for 'stopping the motor armature q-uickly,'wee1l1g?,oy a brake resistance which when s denl thrown across the armature terminals wit 'the motor field still on, will quickly'bring the motor to rest.

In carrying out our invention, we provide in connection with a motor VYstarter having the usual controlling arm biased to the starting position andaretaining magnet for holding same in runnin position, a brake resistance which is app ied simultaneously with the release ofthe controlling arm. The brake resistance is normally applied to the motor armature,'that is, it is on when the controlling arm is in the off or open circuit position. When the arm is moved so as to close lthe armature circuit, the latter is relievedy of the brake resist-ance by a solenoid switch which keeps the circuit of the brake open until the push button is operated to stop the meter. The retaining magnet 1s likewise in circuit with the solenoid switch so that, at the same time the resistance is appliedA the arm returns to the off position, the motor shunt field being on as the arm re'- turns. We also preferably employ a motor having both a series and shunt 'field and so arrange the connections that when the arm is moved to running position, the series field is' cut out of circuit. The provision of a series vfield in starting will make up for any weakening of the shunt field, so that it is not necessary to interlock the field and armature controlling arms.

Various other objects of our invention and features of novelty will appear in the course of the following specification in which in connection with the drawing, we have shown a preferred embodiment of our invention..4

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents an insulating base of slate, soap-stone or the like having mounted thereon a controlling arm 2 pivoted at 3 and having its outer end adapted to successively pass over and engage the contacts 4, forming terminals for the starting resistance 5. The arm is biased to the off position against the stop 6 bv the spring 7, in which position the end of theiarm rests on the insulating segment 8, forming a continuation of the studs 4. The brushes on the arm 2 are .insulated therefrom so as to render the arm dead but they are electrically connected to each other in the usual Way... A

second insulating segment 9 having therein the metallic contacts 10 and 11, is arranged concentric with the studs4, and the contacts 10 and 11 are situated so as to be radiallyin line with the first and last of the studstjrspec-tively. A third conducting segment 12 is arranged concentric with the studs and the segment 9 which is engaged bythe controlling arm, is provided witlian insulatin portion 13 which is engaged by the arm 1n the Cif position. A no-voltage magnet 14 is 'provided in the usual manner toretain the controlling4 arm in its running position. A second controlling arm 15 provided with an operating handle 16 is arranged toengage the studs 17 of the resistance 18. This resistance is referably in series with the shunt iield anci) is adapted to regulate thespeed of the motor.

As a means for quickly Y stopping and otherwise controlling the motor, we provide a solenoid switch 19 mounted upon a separate base 20, although ofcourse it is notessential that this switch be mounted independently of the rheostat. This solenoid switch controls the circuit of a brake resistance 21 which is normally connected across the armature terminals, and which is cut out of the armature circuit so as to relieve the latter by means ofthe switch. This solenoid Vswitch comprises two coils or windings, the

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y lower coil 22 being the actuating coil and the duct-ors 34 and duc-tors 537 and 3G completing the circuit .gro

upper one 22 the holding coil. Vfhen both coils are energized, they are suiiicient to pull up the core 23 against the tension oi2 a spring 2a'so as to separate the tilted contacts 25 and 26 from the movable contacts 25 and 26 and open the circuit et the-brake resistance.

in order to economize current and also simplify the control oi the switch, we provide for the cutting out oi the coil 22 when the switch is open, so that it is held open by the coil 22. This is done by means oi the spring arm 27 which engages the contact 28 to close the circuit of coil 2.2, butWhen the core 23 is moved upward a-iiange 29 of the core engages thesprinff 27 to open the circuit of the actuating coil, tleaving only the holding coil in circuit Which is suiiicient to maintain the switch open. The circuit of the coil 22 is controlled by series of push buttons 3() arranged in series so that by pushing one of these buttons, the circuit is opened and the contacts and 25 will drop into engagement With the corresponding contacts 25 and 25.' These buttons likewise control the cir.- cuit ot the retaining magnet 14 so that When any one of the buttons is pushed, the magnets let and -22 Will be simultaneously deenergized. f

The arrangement oi circuits and the Inode of operation is as follows: when the snap switch 31 is closed, the circuit is completed from the mains 32 and 33 through .the con- 35 respectively to the controm conductor 37 to terminal A thence through lshunt iield 41 to terminal 51 'through the regulating resistance 1S, arm 15 and conductor 42 back to conductor 36. The brake resistance 2 1 is connected across the armature from terminal 43 and conductor across contacts and 26, conductor Q@ armature A and conductor A11G, thereby actin;i as a brake With the shunt lield enered, retard-the movement ol' the arma- -illhen, however, the arm 2 is moved to the right, it 'first engages the Contact segment 12 and upon further movement en-l gages the Contact 1() and theiirst of the se ries of studs a, closing the armature circuit. This also closes circuit through the two coils 22 and 22 ot the solenoid switch 19 as follows: from the lead 3st at e5 to the conductor te and. terminal et? thence through push buttons 3G, coils and 22" in nniltiple to contact 2S thence through conductor 48, terminal et), conductor 50, Contact l0, arm 2, contact 1.2, conductor B6, conductor 35 and bacl; to line. rFhe switch 19 being energized, the circuit of the brake resistance is opened at contacts 25 and 26 and the circuit of coil 22 is opened at 28, and as the arm is moved tothe right, cutting out resistance, the motor starts to' rotate and gradually comes to running speed. The direction seme? of current through the armature when the arm is moved on to the studs 4 is as follows: from conductor 37 to terminal 44, conductor 40, armature A, series iield 52, terminal 53, conductor 53, resistance 5, arm 2, segment 12 and back to the line through conductor The series 'lield and shunt iield are thus both energized, but when the arm 2 leaves the last one of the studs 4 and moves on to the stud 55, the series iield is cut out so that the armature current instead of passing from the/point 56 through the series field 5 2 to the last ot the studs t, it passes to terminal 57 and stud 55 thence to the arm 2. The series field is thus cut out and only the shunt field energized. The arm 2 will then be retained in running position in the usual Way by the retaining magnet 14 and armature 58. lhen it is desired to stop the motor quickly, one of the buttons 30, which may be distributed at diiierent points around the machine to be controlled, is pressed. rihis as before' stated, simultaneously dee energizes the retaining magnet 14 and 'the holding coil 22, the former allowing the arm 9o to return to lthe orf position, .While the latter closes the circuit of the resistance 21 and applies a brake to the armature, Vwhich .will bring it to rest very quickly, the shunt' field being all the time energized.

I have found that a device of thischaracter is very convenient in controllin machines which must be stopped quickly 'from remote points, as for instance, a silk-loom or machines ot a similar nature. The series field makes it unnecessary to always bring the tield control arm back to the iull-ield 'po sition at starting so that the field control arm may be set for a certain Aposition and left there. The applying ot theoralie resistance by means o1" a push button and at the same time (le-energizing the retaining magnet makes a very desirable and convenient method of quickly/stopping the motor.

t will. be understood ,y of course, that many modiiications of the above described arrangement will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art but it must be lunderstood that we "lo not confine our invention to the specific construction and arrangement herein shown, except in so far as it is limited-by the scope ol' the claims annexed hereto. y

TWhat We claim as nevvv and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,me

l. A starting rheostat comprising a controlling arin biased to the starting position, a 11o-voltage magnet for maintaining said arm in running position, a brake resistance, and means whereby said brake resistance is applied simultaneously 'with the cle-energizing of the no-voltage magnet. y

2. A starting rheostat comprising acontrolling arm biased to the starting position, a no-voltage magnet for maintaining said arm 4in running position,l a-brake resistance and a ist switch arranged to de-energize the no-voltage magnet and simultaneously apply the brake resistance.

3. A starting rheostat comprising a controlling arm biased to the starting position, a rio-voltage magnet for maintaining said arm in running position, a brake resistance and a plurality of switches in series arranged to deenergize the novoltage magnet and simultaneously apply the brake resistance.

4. A starting rheostat comprising a controlling arm biased to the starting position, a brake resistance normally applied to the motor armature, means for relieving the armature of said brake when the controlling arm is moved to close the motor circuit, a no-voltage magnet for retaining the arm in running osition, and means for again applying the brake and simultaneously cle-energizing the 11o-voltage magnet.

5. A starting rheostat lcomprising a controlling arm biased to the starting position, a brake resistance normally applied to the motor armature, means/for relieving the armature of said brake when the controlling arm is `moved to close the motor circuit, a novoltage magnet for retainingl the arm. in running position, and a switch arranged to apply the brake and simultaneously de energize the no-voltage magnet.

, 6. A starting rheostat comprising a controlling arm .biased to the starting position, a brake resistance normally applied to the mo- Y tor armature, -means for relieving the armature of said brake when the controlling arm is moved to close the motor circuit, a lio-voltage magnet for retaining the arm in running position, and a plurality of switches in series arranged to apply the brake and simultaneously de-energize the ilo-voltage magnet.

7. A starting rheostat comprising. a controlling arm biased to starting position, a novoltage magnet for maintaining said arm in running position, a brake resistance, an electromagnetic device controlling said resistance, and a series of switches each arranged to actuate said device and simultaneously deenergize the retaining magnet.

8. A starting rheostat comprising a vcontrolling arm biased to starting position, a novoltage magnet for retaining said arm in running position, 'a brake resistance, an electromagnetic device controlling said resistance having an actuating coil and a holding coil, means Jfor de-energizing the actuating coil upon the movement of said device, and a switch arranged to de-energize the retaining magnet and the holding coil simultaneously.I

9. The combination with an electric motor having series and shunt iield windings, of means for starting the same comprising a controlling arm biased to the starting position, means lor cutting out the series held winding when the arm reaches running position, and a 11o-voltage magnet 'for retaining the arm in running position.

10. The combination with an electric motor having series and shunt iield windings, of means for starting the same comprising a controlling arm biased to the starting position, a no-voltage magnet Jfor retaining the arm in running position, means for cutting out the series field winding when the arm reaches ruiming position, a brake resistance and a switch arranged-to de-energize the retaining magnet and simultaneously apply the brake resistance.

ll. The combination with an electric m0- tor having series and shunt field windings, of means for starting the same comprising a controlling arm biased to starting position, a no-voltage magnet for retaining the arm in running position, means for cutting out the series field winding when the arm reaches running position, a brake resistance normally applied to the motor armature, means for relieving the armature oi' said brake when the controlling arm is moved to close the motor circuit, and a switch arranged to cle-energize the retaining magnet and simultaneously apply the brake resistance.

l2. The combination with an electric motor having series and shunt iield windings, of means 'for starting the same comprising a controlling arm biased to the staiting position, means -for cutting out the series field winding when the arm reaches running position, a novoltage magnet for retaining the arm in run'- ning position, a brake resistance normally applied to the motor armature, means for relieving the .armature of said brake when the controlling arm is moved to close the motor circuit, an electromagnetic device for con# trolling said resistance, having an actuating coil and a holding coil', means for cle-energizing the actuating coil upon movement of said device, and a switch arranged to de-energize the retaining magnet and the holding coil simultaneously.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 2nd day of October, 1906.

HENRY B. EMERSON. GEORGE H. DORGELOH. Witnesses BENJAMiN B. HULL, HELEN Onronn.

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